Progressive Tarzino 3YO Willydoit firmed up his Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) favouritism when he made it back-to-back wins at Ellerslie in the Horizon By SkyCity 1600 on New Year’s Day, which is good news for Westbury Stud as they will offer his three-quarter sister-in-blood at Karaka Book 2.
Willydoit is on a path to the NZ Derby - Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
From his outside gate in the eight-horse field, Willydoit settled at the back of the pack for jockey Masa Hashizume before improving to sit three-back on the fence. Turning for home he was stuck behind a wall of horses, but Hashizume kept a cool head and waited for a gap to open.
When one presented, the country’s leading jockey was quick to take it and Willydoit was able to show the qualities that have earned him Derby favouritism when shooting away to a 2-3/4 length victory over Group Three winner Tuxedo.
Shaun Clotworthy, who trains the three-year-old son of Tarzino in partnership with his wife Emma, was duly impressed with his performance.
“It is a pretty big statement. It looks like he is a well above average horse,” he said.
With victory, Willydoit shortened into $3 favouritism for the Derby ahead of the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Checkmate at $10.
Clotworthy has no doubt his charge will see out the 2400m Derby distance on Champions Day at Ellerslie in March.
“He has got a nice turn of foot and he will get a Derby distance,” he said. “He is a pretty relaxed individual and he doesn’t take too much out of himself.
“We will just see how the horse pulls up, but that (Guineas path) looks the logical programme.”
Bred by Westbury Stud principal Gerry Harvey, Willydoit was offered through the farm’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by Clotworthy for $75,000.
Following his 1150m trial victory at Waipa in October, American-based syndicator My Racehorse joined the ownership group.
My Racehorse offers affordable ownership through micro shares, with their business model famously showcased by Gr.1 Kentucky Derby (2000m) winner Authentic, with My Racehorse’s 12.5 percent stake in the former US Horse of the Year shared among 5,000 people.
Wearing My Racehorse’s red and black silks, Willydoit has now won two of his three starts, after placing on debut, and earned more than $62,000 in prizemoney. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
